ISTANBUL, (Reuters) – Lithuania guard Martynas Pocius faces an emotional world championship semi-final against United States coach Mike Krzyzewski when the two teams meet in a mouth-watering clash today.
Pocius, instrumental in Lithuania’s 104-85 quarter-final win over Argentina on Thursday with 16 points and four rebounds, was coached by Krzyzewski at Duke college — where “coach K” won four NCAA titles.
“There is emotion as it is but playing against coach K will definitely be exciting,” Pocius told a news conference after his team produced one of the shocks of the tournament.
“I don’t think I want to be showing that, I want to keep playing like I’ve been playing and he has already seen what I’ve done in the tournament,” Pocius said.
The Lithuanians were given a wildcard to compete in the 24-team event after failing to qualify through last year’s European Championship, where they made a an early exit in the second group stage.
Missing several regular starters, they arrived in Turkey as also-rans but showed they could be the tournament’s surprise package with a group stage win over holders Spain, who were knocked out by Serbia in the quarter-finals.
“Team chemistry is the reason we are in the semi-finals, we were underdogs coming into the tournament but we are playing like one and we always knew how good we are although a lot of people didn’t think we could do well,” said Pocius.
Lithuania, the 2003 European champions, face their toughest test yet against an impressive U.S. team led by 21-year-old forward Kevin Durant, who shone with a game-high 33 points in an 89-79 quarter-final win over Russia.
“There’s no kid in the world who loves to play basketball more than that kid,” said Krzyzewski, who is aiming to win the first world championship for the U.S. since 1994 after steering them to the 2008 Olympics gold medal.
TURKISH
DELIGHT
The other semi-final, also on Saturday, features hosts Turkey and the tournament’s other dark horses Serbia, the youngest side in the 24-team event with an average age of 23.6.
The Turks, coached by Serbian-born Bogdan Tanjevic, have delighted their fans with seven straight wins and the most impressive was a 95-68 rout of Slovenia in the quarter-finals. Like Pocius against Krzyzewski, Serbia’s coach Dusan Ivkovic also faces an emotional battle — with his old friend Tanjevic who is looking for Turkey’s first podium finish in their third world championship appearance.
“He is a a close friend and a big fighter who has managed to overcome difficult situations with his will-power and reach Turkey’s highest ebb after six years of hard work,” Ivkovic said. “The Turks have produced a perfect atmosphere and drubbed their rivals here with passionate support from the fans, having killed off most games as a contest by halftime.
“It is going to be a great challenge for us but we are ready and looking forward to battle. If we hold them off in the first half we have a good chance,” said Ivkovic.
